January 2010 - Parks & Recreation - 15

is a migratory route favored by birds for
its 12-mile length. It's a favorite birding
spot for Mckiernan and would be more
so were it not for dogs. " But, 80 percent
of the dogs are off-lead, particularly on
the trails. " She says. " That might not be
a problem if it were on the main road or
at the visitor center. "
Is there a middle ground? It's going to be tough, believes NRPA's chief
of public policy. Rich Dolesh in previous positions served as director of the
Forest Wildlife and Heritage Service
of the Maryland Department of Natural
Resources and is also a member of the
Conservation Committee of the Maryland Ornithological Society.
" Whatever strategy that is to be used
must be simple, practical, and self-enforcing, " Dolesh said in his comments to
the members of the conservation committee of Maryland Ornithological Society. " I commend the 'middle ground'
approach, but the suggested solutions
just don't seem workable. A better strategy may be to concentrate on those parks
in which there are provable concerns for
rare, threatened and endangered species that are in need of conservation, and
to educate park visitors and park staff
why such restrictions will help in this
conservation effort.
" The best compliance, " he said,
" comes from park users who support the
policies and help promote them. "
Mackiernan suggests establishing a
form of responsible dog ownership certification, similar to one administered
by the American Kennel Club. " Possibly
some kind of permit or collar tag to be
displayed which can be revoked if the
rules are violated, " she says. Another solution is to implement a pass system for
dog owners, Mackiernan adds. " It would
come with certain rules and could be revoked if abused. It would also pay for its
enforcement. One hundred people paying $10 is $1,000. One thousand people,
that's actual money. "


-Phil Hayward

Profile: Doug Siden

e's been called a doer. An energizer bunny. The hardest working man in
local politics. But whatever label anyone

gives citizen advocate Doug Siden, it can never
quite encapsulate all that he is, or all that he does
for his community. Serving his fifth term on the
East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors,
Siden has worked tirelessly for 20 years to serve
the largest local park district in the United States,
with more than 2.5 million people who use the park
system.
" I guess I just inherited some of the right
genes, " he says of his legendary liveliness. " I've always sought to be involved in things, and doing
those things energizes me. "
Now retired, Siden worked as the executive director for camping and youth programs for the
American Baptist Churches of the West. " Technically I'm retired, but I don't consider myself retired because I am serving the community full time, " he says. " I can relate very well to the issues because of my background.
My parents took me to parks, cub scouts, boy scouts, and church camping. "
Although Siden brings a background of parks and recreation, his true gift is engaging people around him, according to Rosemary Cameron, assistant general
manager in the East Bay Regional Park District. " He truly understands the value of
establishing relationships, " she says. " He builds relationships with all kinds of people
but then he sustains, grows, develops, and nurtures that relationship. Some people
know how to turn it on, but Doug never stops. "
Because of his ability to relate and listen to people, Siden was tapped in 2008 to
chair a campaign committee for a park bond called Measure WW. The $500 million
bond, the largest in the history of the country, would provide funds to secure open
space in the region and would need two-thirds majority vote from the community. In
the tough economic climate, the park district nominated Siden to work to inform voters about the bond and help get it passed. With Siden's leadership, the bond passed
with 71.7 percent of the votes.
" Had Doug not provided the energy, enthusiasm, and tireless leadership, I am not
sure what would have happened, " Cameron says. " I frankly don't know who else could
have stepped up. He is just uniquely suited for these types of roles. "
Siden himself is proud of the effort, but true to form, points to others rather than
himself as the reason Measure WW passed. " I think the vote showed the long-term
vision for open space from our residents, " he says. " This district was founded in 1934
during the Great Depression to provide open space. This vote was under very similar circumstances. "
Whatever you call Siden, Cameron says he will always be remembered in the region for his caring heart. " He exudes warmth, " she says. " He has an inner sort of spirit
that comes out. What is amazing is that people don't forget him, but he never forgets
to make a fuss about others. "


www.NRPA .ORG JANUARY 2010

Parks & Recreation

January 2010 - Parks & Recreation

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